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My dip neighbor decided to build this little structure in the back that blocks our mountain view. I'm assuming there's nothing we can do, but it annoys the hell out of me. It goes over the top of our property, so if you want to sit in back you can no longer see anything, only if you stand right. So damn annoyed.
Depends what you mean by "little structure". If it's something like a tuff shed, rotsa ruck. If it's something more than that, more than 10 feet high, there's a chance they would have needed to file for a building permit. Can probably call the city to complain (311) if no such thing was ever filed.
If their property is at all south of yours, you can also take the "solar rights" angle. Generally you have to reserve the rights before the construction, but there are laws on the books (state laws in particular) that allow you to impose height restrictions on your neighbor's property.
Rather than running to the teacher, consider some dollar diplomacy here- offer to "improve" their project by helping them relocate it, on your dime. It may be the best long shot you have.
Thank you for the quick response. It's definitely over 10 feet high, and high enough where if I'm sitting at the table in back, I can no longer see the mountains period. I'll try calling 311 to see if a permit was received. Their property is to the east of me, so the solar rights angle won't work unfortunately. I'm not sure how you'd be able to reserve the rights pre-construction though, since we never knew they were doing it and it was fully completed in two days. I am not for dollar diplomacy at all, I'd rather run to the teacher than spend my own money to move their stupidity.
Thanks Poncho. I did more reading today and contacted my city councilor, and have found out that there are no view ordinances in ABQ and that we'd have needed an easement when we bought the house to prevent it (which I never even heard of until today). You can go ahead and lock this thread.
I'd still check to see if it was permitted. If it is a permanent structure (not a tuff shed) it has to be permitted. It also needs to be at least 15' from the back wall.
I'd still check to see if it was permitted. If it is a permanent structure (not a tuff shed) it has to be permitted. It also needs to be at least 15' from the back wall.
Agreed...
I have a "Tuff Shed". They are great! The largest size allowed without extra work and extra permitting. Ours is two story, maximum size before extra permits kick in, and over the correct distance from a wall. A building code person came out to measure required distance from the wall... This was in Rio Rancho.
How far is the structure from the property line? There are usually minimum space requirements in the municipal code, sounds like Albuquerque may be 15 foot minimum.
It is definitely not 15' from anything. An arroyo runs behind our houses and it sits right in the back left corner against our property and the wall to the arroyo.
It is definitely not 15' from anything. An arroyo runs behind our houses and it sits right in the back left corner against our property and the wall to the arroyo.
Well there's your in. Call the city zoning enforcement (311 will get you there) and complain. How else would they ever be able to do their job?
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